The Minnesota Vikings found a new quarterback and leader.
Unfortunately for them, they won’t get to watch him on the field during his rookie season.
With J.J. McCarthy set to miss his first campaign in the league, Kevin O’Connell’s team will lean on Sam Darnold instead.
However, that might not be a positive thing, according to Vikings analyst Judd Zulgad.
Talking on the SKOR North podcast, he argued that Darnold wasn’t a natural leader like McCarthy (Via The Purple Persuasion).
Is #Vikings QB Sam Darnold going to struggle getting players to rally around him?
Per @jzulgad via @SKORNorth:
“Everyone gravitates towards [J.J. McCarthy], no one is gravitating towards Sam.” 👀
pic.twitter.com/VuasNS5g7h— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 21, 2024
He believes the players don’t gravitate towards him in the same way they gravitate towards McCarthy.
Zulgad stated that McCarthy is like Brett Favre in the sense that players think he’s got a great arm and could ‘pass the ball through them,’ which is something they haven’t seen from Darnold.
Of course, most of this sounds like mere speculation and opinions, and it will be tough to actually watch this take being backed up on the field.
The Vikings have a very good team, and while Darnold might not be their No. 1 choice, he’s a veteran who’s been around the league for quite a while now.
He’s never had this kind of talent around him, let alone a QB-friendly coach with a great offensive mind like Kevin O’Connell.
He may not be the guy they wanted, but they could’ve done a whole lot worse.
NEXT:
Vikings Announce 3 Roster Moves